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Innovators and Start-Ups
Start up (Appendix W)
You can apply for a Start-up visa if you have a business idea and:
- you want to set up a business in the UK
- you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
- you are endorsed by an authorised body
- you are over 18 years old
- you meet the English language requirement
- you are able to prove that you have enough personal savings to support yourself during your time in the UK
Which documents will I have to provide?
You must be able to show that your business idea is:
- a new idea - you cannot join or invest in a business that is already trading
- innovative - you must have an original business idea which is different from anything else on the market
- viable, with potential for growth
You will also have to provide:
- a current passport or other valid travel identification
- bank statements showing you’ve had at least £945 in savings in your bank account for 90 consecutive days before you apply
- your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
- proof that you have knowledge of the English language
Which organisations are authorised bodies?
You must be endorsed by an authorised body that is either:
- a UK higher education institution
- a business organisation with a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs
A full list of endorsing bodies list can be found here.
How long does it take to get a visa?
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.
What am I allowed to do when I am in the UK on a start-up visa?
You can:
- bring family members with you
- switch to this visa from some other visa categories
- work in another job, as well as working for your business
You cannot:
- get public funds
- work as a doctor or dentist in training
- work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach
- settle in the UK on this visa
How long can I stay in the UK on a start-up visa?
You can stay in the UK for 2 years on a Start-up visa. You cannot apply to extend this visa. You may be able to switch to a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa if you’ve:
- completed your second year on a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa
- switched from a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa to a Start-up visa for your second year
Can I bring my family with me on a start up visa?
Yes, you can apply for your dependants to come with you on a start up visa. They will have to pay separate, additional fees.
Is there a visa fee?
Yes. The fee will depend on whether you apply from inside or outside the UK, and where you’re from. The fee ranges from £308 to £493.
Innovator (Appendix W)
You may be able to apply for an Innovator visa if you want to set up or run a business in the UK.
Who is eligible to apply for an innovator visa?
You are eligible to apply for an innovator visa if:
- you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
- your business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body
- you have at least £50,000 in investment funds if you want to set up a new business
Which bodies can endorse my business idea?
You must be able to show that your business idea is:
- a new idea - you cannot join or invest in a business that is already trading
- viable, with potential for growth
Read the endorsing bodies list (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/endorsing-bodies-innovator) you should only approach ones that are suitable for your business idea.
How long can I stay in the UK on an innovator visa?
You can stay in the UK for 3 years if you:
- come to the UK on an Innovator visa
- switch to this visa from another visa
You can apply to extend for another 3 years when your visa is due to expire. There’s no limit on the number of times you can extend.
You may be able to apply for settlement (known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) once you’ve been in the UK for 3 years.
Your visa may be cut short if your endorsement is withdrawn. If you want to stay longer, you must re-apply with a new endorsement before your current visa expires.
Is there a visa fee?
Yes, there is a fee to apply for an innovator visa. How much you pay for an Innovator visa depends on your situation and where you apply from. It costs £1,021 to apply for an Innovator visa from outside the UK, and £1,277 to apply to extend or switch from within the UK. It’s the same price for you and for all dependents.
If you are from Turkey or Macedonia, there is a reduced fee of £966 if you apply from outside the UK. It costs £1,222 to apply to extend or switch from within the UK.
You will also have to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge as part of your application.
Can you help us?
Yes. We can assist your business with the application. You can contact us here or send us a question on WhatsApp.
You can apply for a Start-up visa if you have a business idea and:
- you want to set up a business in the UK
- you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
- you are endorsed by an authorised body
- you are over 18 years old
- you meet the English language requirement
- you are able to prove that you have enough personal savings to support yourself during your time in the UK
Which documents will I have to provide?
You must be able to show that your business idea is:
- a new idea - you cannot join or invest in a business that is already trading
- innovative - you must have an original business idea which is different from anything else on the market
- viable, with potential for growth
You will also have to provide:
- a current passport or other valid travel identification
- bank statements showing you’ve had at least £945 in savings in your bank account for 90 consecutive days before you apply
- your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
- proof that you have knowledge of the English language
Which organisations are authorised bodies?
You must be endorsed by an authorised body that is either:
- a UK higher education institution
- a business organisation with a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs
A full list of endorsing bodies list can be found here.
How long does it take to get a visa?
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.
What am I allowed to do when I am in the UK on a start-up visa?
You can:
- bring family members with you
- switch to this visa from some other visa categories
- work in another job, as well as working for your business
You cannot:
- get public funds
- work as a doctor or dentist in training
- work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach
- settle in the UK on this visa
How long can I stay in the UK on a start-up visa?
You can stay in the UK for 2 years on a Start-up visa. You cannot apply to extend this visa. You may be able to switch to a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa if you’ve:
- completed your second year on a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa
- switched from a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa to a Start-up visa for your second year
Can I bring my family with me on a start up visa?
Yes, you can apply for your dependants to come with you on a start up visa. They will have to pay separate, additional fees.
Is there a visa fee?
Yes. The fee will depend on whether you apply from inside or outside the UK, and where you’re from. The fee ranges from £308 to £493.
Innovator (Appendix W)
You may be able to apply for an Innovator visa if you want to set up or run a business in the UK.
Who is eligible to apply for an innovator visa?
You are eligible to apply for an innovator visa if:
- you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
- your business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body
- you have at least £50,000 in investment funds if you want to set up a new business
Which bodies can endorse my business idea?
You must be able to show that your business idea is:
- a new idea - you cannot join or invest in a business that is already trading
- viable, with potential for growth
Read the endorsing bodies list (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/endorsing-bodies-innovator) you should only approach ones that are suitable for your business idea.
How long can I stay in the UK on an innovator visa?
You can stay in the UK for 3 years if you:
- come to the UK on an Innovator visa
- switch to this visa from another visa
You can apply to extend for another 3 years when your visa is due to expire. There’s no limit on the number of times you can extend.
You may be able to apply for settlement (known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) once you’ve been in the UK for 3 years.
Your visa may be cut short if your endorsement is withdrawn. If you want to stay longer, you must re-apply with a new endorsement before your current visa expires.
Is there a visa fee?
Yes, there is a fee to apply for an innovator visa. How much you pay for an Innovator visa depends on your situation and where you apply from. It costs £1,021 to apply for an Innovator visa from outside the UK, and £1,277 to apply to extend or switch from within the UK. It’s the same price for you and for all dependents.
If you are from Turkey or Macedonia, there is a reduced fee of £966 if you apply from outside the UK. It costs £1,222 to apply to extend or switch from within the UK.
You will also have to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge as part of your application.
Can you help us?
Yes. We can assist your business with the application. You can contact us here or send us a question on WhatsApp.
'We received invaluable advice, and the process turned out to be a lot simpler than we expected. She helped us to avoid the few mistakes we were about to make, and we can’t thank Seraphus enough for a process that we were dreading for a long time! Solicitors at Seraphus know what they talk about, are professional and very friendly. We can’t recommend them enough for any Immigration issue you may have. We used primarily the phone service, which was convenient and very affordable for the quality of advice we received.’
Eitenne
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